Stripes

Stripes Description

This latest group of abstract work is some of my best abstract work to date. It is such a wonderful experience to paint abstract (versus representational) due to the process.

Abstraction allows you to move quickly through multiple ideas; I typically have 5-15 paintings going on simultaneously. Works typically share the same palette of colors and hence look somewhat similar but the real difference is "reaction" versus "interpretation". Reacting to colors, shapes, composition happens instantly and there is no tedious energy spent on making the work "look like something". On the contrary... the energy is spent "making the piece speak with voice", to hear the work come alive... to suddenly have it's own clear personality. I like to call it the "essence".

These works are an exciting body of work for me lately, especially because I've spent so much time painting landscapes and representational work due to the extensive painting I do on the road.